Powerful Prayer
- Bishop Keith Butler
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:14-16)
James wrote to believers, informing them that if someone close to them was ill, they shouldn't face the battle of faith alone. Instead, James advised them to first reach out to the church elders. These leaders within a congregation are called and trained to pray for and anoint the sick with oil in the name and authority of Jesus. This is not just a religious spectacle; it is a powerful act of agreement, faith, and obedience that demonstrates to the world that healing is not merely a medical issue; more profoundly, it is a spiritual one.
Please note that it’s not just prayer that brings results. Many chaplains and religious groups pray for sick or dying individuals, yet often nothing changes. The prayer that brings results is the prayer of FAITH! Faith activates God’s healing power, and as James wrote, Jesus responds to a prayer of faith and restores the sick to health. The phrase “effectual fervent” is key here. Effectual prayers are grounded in God’s Word; fervent prayers are passionate, heartfelt, and full of faith. These types of prayers exert force, produce results, and lead to breakthroughs!
As James completed his thought, he revealed a profound truth: along with God’s physical healing, He also wants us healed in our minds. God cares deeply about our bodies, spirits, and souls. Complete healing also requires being open and honest with those in our lives.
That is why James instructed Christians to “confess their faults one to another.” Note that the Scripture does not say to confess our “sins” to each other. You don’t need to confess your sins to everyone in your life. Confessing faults involves acknowledging our struggles, weaknesses, or areas where we need prayer and accountability.
Practical Application
Believers are called to intentionally pray for others. Avoid falling into the trap of saying, “I will pray for you,” without actually doing it. Pray with purpose and passion. Your effective, fervent prayer makes a difference!